Page 9 of The Double Play

“I love yellow!” she cheers, wiggling in Emmett’s lap. “But my favorite is purple. Daddy loves green, and Grandma loves pink. Grandpa says he’s too old to have a favorite color.” She wrinkles her nose, making me laugh again.

This little girl is quickly stealing my heart. She reminds me of my sister Raven when she was little. Since we have a larger age gap, I got to watch her grow up and she was just as wonderfully precocious as sweet June.

“Can you make pancakes?” she asks.

I nod. “I can. I like to put chocolate chips in mine.”

Her eyes grow big. “I love chocolate chips. Do you want to see my playroom? It has a rock wall!”

I look at Emmett again, this time for permission.

He moves June and sets her on her feet. “Why don’t you go to your playroom and Ms. Hazel will meet you there?”

June nods, then skips off in the direction she came.

“It’s clear that she likes you,” Bonnie says with a laugh.

“She seems like a wonderful little girl,” I say. “I’d love to take care of her.”

Emmett runs a hand over his beard. “When can you start?”

My heart inflates like a hot-air balloon. “As soon as you’d like. Tomorrow works for me.”

He nods. “Tomorrow it is, then. You’ll get paperwork–”

“Right now,” Bonnie interrupts. “I already printed it off for you.” She walks over to the kitchen island and picks up a packet of paper.

Emmett sighs. “I suppose you can take the paperwork home. And when you come in the morning, my mom will show you around the house.”

“You won’t be here?” I ask.

He pushes away from the table. When he rises to his full height, it occurs to me once again just how tall he is. Andstrong. His muscles are bulging against the Nashville Cowboys shirt he’s wearing.

“I have a game to prepare for.”

Bonnie looks at him and widens her eyes. He sighs.

“Thank you for applying.”

I almost laugh at his begrudging tone, but I manage to hold back. “Thank you for hiring me.”

He dips his chin then leaves. I’m not sure where he goes, since I don’t know the house layout beyond the dining area and living room.

“We should go see June before she gets restless,” Bonnie says after her son is gone.

“Sounds great.” I follow her through the house. Once again, I’m struck by how castle-like their home looks. If you told me I’d stepped into the Renaissance or Regency era, I’d believe you.

“The playroom is right down this hall. I’ll give you a tour tomorrow. I know it’s rather overwhelming,” Bonnie says, drawing my attention away from the large painting of a rose garden.

“It’s a beautiful home,” I breathe.

“Emmett wanted a castle fit for his little princess. I think he built this place to make June’s childhood magical in spite of her mother not being around.”

“I can’t imagine not wanting to be around a kid like June,” I say honestly.

When Bonnie doesn’t say anything, I worry I overstepped. I’m about to apologize when I hear a sniffle.

“I can’t either,” she replies, her voice thick with emotion. She draws in a breath as we come upon a door that readsPrincess Junein swirling gold letters.

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